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The Castle Air Museum opened in 1981, on a site adjacent to the former Castle Air Force Base. Today, the museum displays 54 restored World War II, Korean War, and Cold War era aircraft. The outdoor museum covers 11 acres, and an indoor museum features photographs, uniforms, and other war memorabilia.
The museum houses one of only four surviving Convair B-36 Peacemakers, a model RB-36H with serial number 51-13730. The photos below were taken by the author in May, 2012.
This is the only reconnaissance version of the B-36 on display, and was assigned to the 28th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Rapid City Air Force Base, South Dakota (Ellsworth AFB after June 1953) from 1952 to 1957. In 1957, it was reassigned to Chanute Air Force Base, Illinois, and was used as a ground instructional airframe. After active service, it was placed on display at Chanute's Air Museum. Later, it was transported to the Castle Air Museum on eleven flatbed railway cars. Reassembly and restoration took two and a half years.
For more information, we highly recommend a visit to the website of the Castle Air Museum
Convair RB36 Peacemaker S/N 51-13730 on display at Castle Air Museum |
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Nose view of RB-36H on display at Castle Air Museum |
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RB-36H on display at the Castle Air Museum in Atwater |
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The shield of the Strategic Air Command, painted on the RB-36H at the Castle Air Museum |
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RB-36H Peacemaker engines, Castle Air Museum |
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Plaque describing the RB-36H on display at the Castle Air Museum in Atwater, CA |
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